I am trying to figure out if what I am experiencing is related to getting off Paxil-just 5 days ago-or something else.<P>I weaned myself off the Paxil as my doctor suggested. One week at 1 1/2 tabs, next week at 1 tab and last week of just 1/2 tab.<P>I am now terribly dizzy, light-headed-and crabby as all get out. I seem real agitated and can't handle much comotion at all.<P>Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I am NOT going back on the Paxil-I do not like to depend on medication to get through a day. Plus-I gained way too much weight while on it and I am tired of feeling fat.<P>Thanks for any help you might be able to give me.<P><BR><P>------------------<BR>*heartache*<P>"Life's A Dance<BR>You Learn As You Go.<BR>Sometimes You Lead<BR>Sometimes You Follow!<BR>Don't worry 'Bout What You Don't Know<BR>LIfe's A Dance <BR>You Learn As You Go."

Hi Heartache,<P>I have a book about drugs and read up on Paxil. It did mention those symptoms as withdrawal symptoms. But I am not an MD.<P>I can't take Paxil or any SSRI as I get tremors.<P>I'm hoping someone here can give you info on first hand experience regarding Paxil withdrawal.<P>Please take care,<BR>Jo

Thanks Jo-<P>I certainly appreciate your taking time to check up on this for me. This is my third attempt at getting off the meds. I intend to make it this time if it kills me!<P>I will continue watching this to see if anyone else can help but again thank you for replying.<P><P>------------------<BR>*heartache*<P>"Life's A Dance<BR>You Learn As You Go.<BR>Sometimes You Lead<BR>Sometimes You Follow!<BR>Don't worry 'Bout What You Don't Know<BR>LIfe's A Dance <BR>You Learn As You Go."

I wish I could help you but I don't remember the year that I took Paxil so I can't remember what happened when I quit taking it. That year is a complete blank because of the Paxil <P>And thank God I don't take it anymore.

I hope this helps. I have been taking 100 mg of Zoloft for over 1 year. Never had before. I am convinced I probably never can get off of it because my diagnosis was an underlying clinical depression that is based on my chemistry. However, I do know what happpened to me when I ran out for a few days and was so busy working that weekend that I thought I'd be okay. The withdrawal from Zoloft happens about 48 hours-78 hours later. It's like a shift in your biochemistry. The affect (effect?) can hit you a few days later if you go off the regimen. I am like you that I don't want to rely on a pill to make me better, but I wonder why you are getting off of it -- could you maybe talk to another doctor and explore whether or not you should still be maybe on a low maintenance schedule? By the way, I work in a medical environment with nurses and when I "hit bottom" that one time a few months ago, they were convinced it was because I jolted my daily regimen. Just a thought.

Dana-<P>I am so sorry that your year on meds was not a good one. Hopefully it helped in some way, shape or form!<P>Hopefully you are now doing and feeling much better <P>------------------<BR>*heartache*<P>"Life's A Dance<BR>You Learn As You Go.<BR>Sometimes You Lead<BR>Sometimes You Follow!<BR>Don't worry 'Bout What You Don't Know<BR>LIfe's A Dance <BR>You Learn As You Go."

TNP-<P>Thanks for helping out here.<P>I am getting off the Paxil msotly because<P>1) I gained 20 pounds in the last year.<BR>2) I don't wqant to be on meds unless I HAVE to be.<BR>I did talk to my doctor about all of this. He did say I could very likely take another anti-depressant without the side affects of the Paxil-if I find I need to be taking something. He gave me the name of another drug to give my regular physician if I feel the need.<P>My big thing is this-I want to be in control-not controlled by a pill. I have enough anger over being forced into having to seek drugs to control my terrible depression over something totally out of my control. <P>Thanks a bunch for responding-I truly appreciate it And you be careful with your meds too!!<P><P>------------------<BR>*heartache*<P>"Life's A Dance<BR>You Learn As You Go.<BR>Sometimes You Lead<BR>Sometimes You Follow!<BR>Don't worry 'Bout What You Don't Know<BR>LIfe's A Dance <BR>You Learn As You Go."

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by heartache:<BR><B>Dana-<P>I am so sorry that your year on meds was not a good one. Hopefully it helped in some way, shape or form!<P>Hopefully you are now doing and feeling much better <P></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Thanks heartache, I do feel much better now that I am not zoned out and can enjoy life somewhat. Of course, when I quit taking the Paxil, the very depression that I had been masking for a year was sitting there waiting for me. Since I couldn't hide from it anymore with pills, I had to address the problem. And thank God I did because now I am at peace, despite the so-called "chemical imbalance" that I supposedly have. [I guess doctors can tell a "chemical imbalance" just by looking at a person because he never ran any tests] A "real" peace, that is, not a narcotically induced false "peace." <P>Strangely, I have been able to cope quite well without drugs through the death of my son, breakup of my marriage, loss of job, remarriage, and move to another part of the country. I have had enormous heartache in the past 2 years but haven't had a bit of depression since I changed my diet and started working out. <P>

Dana-<P>EGADS-I read stuff like you write and I wonder what my problem even is. I haven't had to deal with anything near as bad as all you have been through. You sound like a success story to me <P>I am glad you are doing well. Hopefully others will read this and decide they too can lead a good life despite all the garbage they might be experiencing right now.<P>Thanks again for responding-you have made me smile for both of us.<P><P>------------------<BR>*heartache*<P>"Life's A Dance<BR>You Learn As You Go.<BR>Sometimes You Lead<BR>Sometimes You Follow!<BR>Don't worry 'Bout What You Don't Know<BR>LIfe's A Dance <BR>You Learn As You Go."

I am taking serzone and it actually decreases my appetite. I've lost 7 pounds. I personally thank God for it everyday. I couldn't function or face the day right now without it. I look at it as helpful, not as controlling my life. As far as forgetting things, that was due to shock in my situation, not the medication. If you need another medicine, I'm sure they can find the right one for you. When my H and I were separated in the past, I took it for 7 months and just started again in May. I have no side effects at all!

<B>I am now terribly dizzy, light-headed-and crabby as all get out.</B><BR>Normal. I stayed on 1/2 tab for about a month before I quit. Seems like you went from 2 tabs to nothing VERY quickly.<P>How long were you taking it?<P>I had very, very little withdrawal from it this way.<P><B>He did say I could very likely take another anti-depressant without the side affects of the Paxil-if I find I need to be taking something.</B><BR>If you can do without it, then don’t take it.<P>------------------<BR>Prayers & God Bless!<BR>Chris<BR>For relationship info check out <A HREF="http://www.pcisys.net/~chriscal1/resources.html" TARGET=_blank>Marriage & Relationship Resources</A>

Hi again Heartache,<P>I might suggest either Wellbutrin or Celexa. I'm taking Wellbutrin, have been for 3 weeks. And I'm just starting to feel the effects. You'll be happy to know that one side effect is weight loss. Not so good for me though. <P>Inquire on both anti-deps with your doc.<P>I'm very much like you, in as I don't want to take anything. But I hit bottom about 2 mos ago, so I've resigned to taking the anti-deps only for a term.<P>Best,<BR>Jo

Maggierose-<P>Thanks for the information. I can feel my feet heading to the serzone store I usually do not have major reactions to drugs of any sort-when I do I find it is a bad thing and I shouldn't be taking whatever it is as it elaves me feeling terrible.<P>I hope your life becomes all you want it to-you deserve it.<P><P>------------------<BR>*heartache*<P>"Life's A Dance<BR>You Learn As You Go.<BR>Sometimes You Lead<BR>Sometimes You Follow!<BR>Don't worry 'Bout What You Don't Know<BR>LIfe's A Dance <BR>You Learn As You Go."

You may want to try Zanax (alprazolam)<BR>It is an anti anxiety drug (benzodiazepine). Acts quickly. Out of the body quickly. Take it only when you are in highly anxious situations. It helps you to sleep. It is cheap. It is habit-forming. I only take a small dose every week or two--sometimes none at all in a month.<BR>It is very effective for me.<BR>Good luck<BR>r

Heartache,<P>Being that tomorrow is Wednesday, yor MD should be in. CALL HIM/HER. We can relate experiences to you, but never diagose you here. I am a nurse. I am telling you to seek a professional medical opinion. Hey, they are paid well enough, lol (all except for nurses, of course) Call your Doc, its important for him to know your symptoms.<P>Khyra<P>

Chris-<P>You always have the best HELP out there! I appreciate your taking time to respond.<P><BR>I was actually taking 1 1/2 tabs daily. I didn't want to be on 2 so I stuck to the 1 1/2. I did decline the usage as my doctor advised but you are possibly correct in that maybe I ought to have stayed at 1/2 tab for a bit longer. I don't want to go back to it now though so I think I will do my best to get through this.<P>Let me know if this is not a wise choice on my part though OK?<P>Again-thanks <BR><P>------------------<BR>*heartache*<P>"Life's A Dance<BR>You Learn As You Go.<BR>Sometimes You Lead<BR>Sometimes You Follow!<BR>Don't worry 'Bout What You Don't Know<BR>LIfe's A Dance <BR>You Learn As You Go."

Resilient-<P>Thanks for telling me about those two drugs. My doctor suggested Fluoxitene. I know nothing about it. But he did say it is a "safe" drug-I ought not have the side affects I am having now.<P>If I need to I will check in to all of these and see which is best.<P>Thanks again <P>------------------<BR>*heartache*<P>"Life's A Dance<BR>You Learn As You Go.<BR>Sometimes You Lead<BR>Sometimes You Follow!<BR>Don't worry 'Bout What You Don't Know<BR>LIfe's A Dance <BR>You Learn As You Go."

Roger,<P>I hope you meant to say it is NOT habit forming-LOL I don't need any more problems <P>Thanks for the information-I will put it to use if needed.<P>And good luck on your end of things.<P>------------------<BR>*heartache*<P>"Life's A Dance<BR>You Learn As You Go.<BR>Sometimes You Lead<BR>Sometimes You Follow!<BR>Don't worry 'Bout What You Don't Know<BR>LIfe's A Dance <BR>You Learn As You Go."

Heartache,<P>BIG Caveat ... Xanax is HIGHLY addictive. Talk to your MD, Hon.<P>Jo<p>[This message has been edited by Resilient (edited August 21, 2001).]

Khyra-<P>Thanks so much for your help! I know you are correct and I would never ask for someone to give me medical advice so to speak. What I was wanting was to know if others have experienced the same symptoms as I am. That way I would at least know that this is normal.<P>If I do call the doctor they will most likely say come in-as they always do. Then I would get in there and they would say this is normal. Poof-there goes money for what I can get FREE here ;0<P>All jokes aside-I know not to ask for or take medical advice from anyone other than a licensed doctor.<P>I appreciate your concern!<P>------------------<BR>*heartache*<P>"Life's A Dance<BR>You Learn As You Go.<BR>Sometimes You Lead<BR>Sometimes You Follow!<BR>Don't worry 'Bout What You Don't Know<BR>LIfe's A Dance <BR>You Learn As You Go."<p>[This message has been edited by heartache (edited August 21, 2001).]